PARIS, Feb 24 (Hina) - Croatia has France's support in drawing closer to the European Union after having submitted an application for membership in Athens last Friday, Croatian President Stjepan Mesic said after a meeting with French
President Jacques Chirac in Paris on Monday.
PARIS, Feb 24 (Hina) - Croatia has France's support in drawing
closer to the European Union after having submitted an application
for membership in Athens last Friday, Croatian President Stjepan
Mesic said after a meeting with French President Jacques Chirac in
Paris on Monday. #L#
"France absolutely supports Croatia. I spoke about what we have
done so far to meet our commitments. I informed Mr. Chirac about
some open issues which we can resolve soon, in which process we will
have France's support," Mesic said.
Mesic arrived in Paris on Sunday evening to meet Chirac
and hold a lecture at the French Institute for International
Relations.
Chirac was not available for a statement on his meeting with Mesic.
The two presidents also discussed the Iraqi crisis. The Croatian
president stressed that Croatia requested every action to be backed
by the United Nations.
"Croatia's stand is clear. We want the United Nations to stand
behind every action," Mesic said, adding that Croatia was part of
the anti-terrorist coalition and would provide assistance but in
agreement with all.
"I believe that we must cooperate both with our American and
European partners. We will adopt a solution that will be the most
productive one for Croatia," Mesic said when asked about his stand
on a non-paper the United States sent to Croatia requesting
permission to use its air space and airports in case of a war against
Iraq.
(hina) rml